Is election “by the people” such a high ideal?
The American “people” elected Donald Trump, and the British “people” wouldn’t even let him come to visit.
The “people” elected Bill Clinton ... the most self serving, untrustworthy leader of modern times.
The “people” seem to be increasingly supporting Jeremy Corbyn (jeez!) ... by the way, after we leave the EU, if the “people” elect Jeremy Corbyn, he will have a free hand, with no outside control.
Governments elected by the “people” deposed Saddam Hussein ... who was not elected by his “people” ... and that created conditions that gave rise to ISIS.
I think the idea that rulers chosen by the “people” is the ideal system is a myth. At best, an anachronism.
Giving power to the “people” is a neo socialist utopia, which gives power to people who don’t understand it. Most people don’t vote because they don’t understand, or care about, the issues.
A small turnout is not bad for “democracy”. What’s bad for democracy is a big turnout of people who really don’t understand what they are doing.